I just got back from a four day trip ( ride report forthcoming ), but I wanted to highlight one experience from my trip.

A fellow Canadian reached out to me for assistance with route selection in our area and this request turned into me spending four days with him.

I live in Acworth, Ga and our second day of riding had us traveling north from Acworth up to Tellico Plains, Tn, to the Cherohala Skyway. Any, shortly after crossing over the Tn border we made a gas stop at the Exxon 68 just before the junction with 64 near Ducktown. We pulled in and topped off our tanks. Being courteous, we pushed our bikes into a parking place to make room for other paying customers. I walked inside and asked the proprietor if I could use the restroom. The gentleman stated that the restroom was located outside the bldg on the left and handed me a key. Upon returning I waited for him to finish up with another customer, then handed the key back and said 'thank you.'

Outside, I used my cell phone to send a txt message with a location update for my wife. Suddenly, the door flung open rapidly and the proprietor said "Gentleman, get your gear back on and get your a$$ down the street. This is not a GD rest stop. Unless you're gonna buy something get the hell outta here."

I politely informed him that we had just bought gas. He apologized and stated that from where he sits he can't always see the gas pumps, but he still had a lot of attitude in his voice. I was a bit shell shocked.

Anyway, do me a favor and help spread the word for everyone to buy their gas somewhere else.

Last summer while crossing North Dakota on I-94 I got so sleepy I decided to stop and take a nap. Pulled into a service station and laid down in a shady spot in some grass. Probably only shade in ND. Just got comfortable and the station attendant came running out waving his arms. This is not a GD rest stop.................it is a dog run. Every dog between Bismark and Fargo has crapped there. Come on inside and crash on a bench, we got air conditioning..unless you got dog poo on you.